Live Community

Nearly a thousand people from diverse backgrounds

Damanhur is located in the north Piedmont region of Italy, between Turin and Aosta. It is home to about 600 people: resident citizens in the communities of the Federation, "temporary" citizens and children. About 400 more people live nearby, many of them from different countries. Those who have bought houses to live near Damanhur are called "non-resident" citizens. Damanhurian citizens come from diverse backgrounds from a social, cultural and geographic perspective. Some had come to Damanhur when they were very young, and others have done so at an older age. The primary spoken language is Italian, and anyone may participate in Italian language courses that take place in a continuous series. During moments of public meetings and events, translators in several languages are usually present to facilitate participation by international citizens and visitors alike.Even the individual pathways for coming to Damanhur are quite diverse. Many have moved near the communities for spiritual motivations, others for environmental ones, and still others are attracted by the research being done here. Regardless of the reasons, anyone who arrives at Damanhur is sure to discover many aspects of life experience here.

Diversity

At Damanhur, we value diversity among people

Living in community with others from diverse backgrounds brings with it opportunities for tremendous enrichment. You can come to Damanhur whisked away by a mystical idea, fascinated by the social dimension, determined to defend nature, or for many other reasons that will be harmonized with the motivations of others, once you are here. Some people arrive with the idea of making a lifetime choice. Others want to have an intensive experience that is limited to three months, through the New Life program.The challenge of harmonious coexistence among so many people from different cultures is fascinating. It requires constant adaptation and a robust sense of humor! Many ingredients blend together to create a stable community that is in continuous evolution, capable of renewing itself and able to create a strong sense of overall cohesion. All of these things are important, but the most fundamental ones are: love, respect and reciprocal solidarity.All citizens, on every level of citizenship, are asked to abstain from smoking as a form of self-control and attention toward oneself and the environment. The awareness that everyone can offer something unique and valuable to others, that we are all part of a single essence that is one family called Humanity: this is the flame that warms and connects the hearts of all Damanhurians. For this reason, the Four Pillars of Damanhur have the objective to provide useful tools for knowing ourselves and each other, giving space to the expression of individual characteristics and talents.

Resident Citizens

The heart of Damanhur is its resident citizens

Citizens who choose the communitarian formula, also known as "A citizens," reside in large houses shared by nucleo families of between about 15 and 25 people. Couples, couples with children, singles, youth and the elderly live in the same dwelling to allow for the exchange of experiences among various age groups. Everyone has their own private space and shares common areas with others, such as the kitchen, living room, and rooms dedicated to meeting together. Each Damanhur citizen chooses where and with whom they want to live, according to their preferences and needs. Children live with their parents, yet every citizen feels responsibility for their well-being and has a hand in both their care and economic support. The elderly of the community reside in settings suitable to their specific needs, so they may stay in the family with everyone else. Sharing is extended in many aspects of daily life and occurs on many occasions: during the weekly meetings, where we give and receive support and personal feedback, make decisions and develop projects; in the administration of the community; when handling daily expenses for food, rent, maintenance and management of the house and the land, and so on; also in the distribution of roles that are useful to help maintain a high quality of life."A Citizens" elect their representatives in the roles that manage various responsibilities, including the role of head of the family, called the Nucleo Leader or Regent, who holds office for one year. Those with "A citizenship" also participate in and support the activities of the associations that take care of various aspects of community life.The bonds that are established among people who live in these large family groups are deep and meaningful. The solidarity, trust and mutual support are the ingredients for overcoming potential conflicts that are natural in any kind of shared living experience, together with a sense of humor and good food!

Other Citizens

Keeping a connection to Damanhur anywhere they live

When Damanhur was founded in 1975, the only way to participate was to be a resident citizen, also known as "A citizenship." Over the years, after the first phase of community consolidation, many people began to come who were attracted by different aspects of Damanhurian life and philosophy, but not the aspect of living together in extended families of 20 or more people. At that time, more levels of citizenship were created-referred to as B, C and D-to allow everyone who feels in resonance with the principles and experience of Damanhur to find their place in a social structure that respects different expectations and needs. Like the resident citizens, non-resident citizens participate in all spiritual, artistic and research activities. The majority of them live in the Canavese zone, which are the neighboring areas of the various communities. There are numerous private homes of B, C and D citizens, town apartments and farmsteads, where these citizens live alone or with their families, sometimes even creating community groups that are smaller than those of the Damanhurian communities. Some of the non-resident citizens participate daily in the practical activities of the community, while others do so in different moments, staying connected with the communities and Spiritual Ways for which they feel a strong affinity. There are also non-residents who live in distant cities, in Italy and around the world, who come to Damanhur several times a year and participate, depending on the distance involved and their personal commitments. Many of them are engaged in the creation and management of Damanhur Embassies and Centers, where Damanhur instructors go to offer courses, conferences and seminars.

Temporary Citizens

For those who want to try out a community experience

Does Damanhur intrigue you? Would you like to have a short-term experience of citizenship? For people like you, we have created temporary citizenship through the New Life program. In this program, you are integrated into a nucleo community and participate in the daily life of citizens. At the same time, you will attend classes on Italian language, as well as Damanhurian philosophy, history and spirituality. It is an opportunity to receive the knowledge that Falco Tarassaco passed on to us. Of course, participating in the program involves the complete abstinence of smoking for the three months of citizenship.New Life temporary citizens are unlike those who spend time at Damanhur as guests, staying in dedicated facilities and attending programs organized by the Damanhur Welcome Office and University. New Life citizens get to have a perspective from inside the Damanhur experience. They become active participants in what goes on here every day. They attend meetings alongside our citizens and join in dedicated moments of sharing.During the three months, every New Life participant stays in at least two different nucleo communities in order to connect with various people and get to know different ways of being together.Welcoming temporary citizens is also a wonderful experience for Damanhurians who have lived in community for years. It's an opportunity to encounter different languages and cultures, have a dialogue about the most everyday aspects like cooking, to the more profound ones like education of children, respect for the environment and spirituality. It's a source of enrichment for all of us.At the end of three months, temporary citizens return to their places of origin or, if they wish, they may enter into a trial period to become Damanhurians residents citizens. Would you like to know more? Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about New Life.In case you cannot afford 3 months away, we have created a special intensive 10 day Aminé program to discover Damanhur from the inside.